The Metrodome has been hosting some 300 independent, college and semipro baseball games each year since it opened in 1982. Games are scheduled at all hours, sometimes well past midnight.

As part of the stadium bill passed by the Legislature, the new Vikings stadium has to be built so the same type of baseball schedule can continue.

However, in checking the preliminary plans to make one of the field fences a minimum of 305 feet rather than 295 feet, it might cost as much as $11 million extra. And that $11 million might take away some of the football features of the stadium, which wouldn't make the Vikings happy.

No doubt this will be one problem that will be worked on once the contractor has been selected to build the stadium.

A Minneapolis firm is one of two still under consideration to become construction manager for the $975 million Minnesota Vikings stadium project. Mortenson Construction remains in the running along with Hunt Construction of Scottsdale, Ariz., the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority announced Thursday, Feb. 7.

The authority had been expected to name a construction manager Friday, but instead officials narrowed the list Thursday and said they would shoot for the end of next week to announce the final selection.

Among the biggest question marks facing the new stadium is when the Vikings are going to vacate the Metrodome. Initially, the thought was that the Vikings would play at Mall of America Field for the next two seasons and play just one year on the U of M campus. However, Bagley said that it’s looking more like 2013 will be the final year at the Metrodome and that the team will play two seasons at TCF Bank stadium before moving into their new home in 2016.

Bagley: “From the feedback I got during the interview process with construction managers, it appears that a realistic schedule would have the Vikings playing in the Metrodome in 2013 and in TCF Bank Stadium in 2014 and 2015 before moving into the new stadium. As things stand, this next season will be our last at Mall of America Field. Nothing is set in stone yet, but, from the feedback I received, that’s where things are leaning right now.”

Among the biggest question marks facing the new stadium is when the Vikings are going to vacate the Metrodome. Initially, the thought was that the Vikings would play at Mall of America Field for the next two seasons and play just one year on the U of M campus. However, Bagley said that it’s looking more like 2013 will be the final year at the Metrodome and that the team will play two seasons at TCF Bank stadium before moving into their new home in 2016.

Bagley: “From the feedback I got during the interview process with construction managers, it appears that a realistic schedule would have the Vikings playing in the Metrodome in 2013 and in TCF Bank Stadium in 2014 and 2015 before moving into the new stadium. As things stand, this next season will be our last at Mall of America Field. Nothing is set in stone yet, but, from the feedback I received, that’s where things are leaning right now.”

Among the biggest question marks facing the new stadium is when the Vikings are going to vacate the Metrodome. Initially, the thought was that the Vikings would play at Mall of America Field for the next two seasons and play just one year on the U of M campus. However, Bagley said that it’s looking more like 2013 will be the final year at the Metrodome and that the team will play two seasons at TCF Bank stadium before moving into their new home in 2016.

Bagley: “From the feedback I got during the interview process with construction managers, it appears that a realistic schedule would have the Vikings playing in the Metrodome in 2013 and in TCF Bank Stadium in 2014 and 2015 before moving into the new stadium. As things stand, this next season will be our last at Mall of America Field. Nothing is set in stone yet, but, from the feedback I received, that’s where things are leaning right now.”

It's probably better this way. I would hate to wait the extra year to demolish the Dome only to have some sort of delay happen that sets back the opening in 2016. The earlier we move, the more room they have to work with (and fewer traffic hassles for fans), making it more likely the project is completed on schedule.

The construction firm that will overseeing the building of the new home for the Minnesota Vikings is expected to be named later this week at a special meeting of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

The construction firm that will overseeing the building of the new home for the Minnesota Vikings is expected to be named later this week at a special meeting of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

The MSFA and the Minnesota Vikings announced today that Mortenson Construction has been chosen as the Construction Manager that will build the new multipurpose stadium. The announcement was made at a special meeting of the Authority.

“We are extremely confident with our selection of Mortenson,” said Lester Bagley, Vikings vice president of public affairs and stadium development. “This was a competitive, fair process that brought forward some of the most qualified construction firms in the country. Ultimately Mortenson’s experience in building sports venues coupled with their familiarity with the market led to their selection.”

"We are honored to be selected as the construction manager for this tremendous project in our home town," said John Wood, senior vice president at Mortenson. "This stadium will be built for Minnesota by Minnesotans and it will have a significant economic impact in the local community. We look forward to beginning work on the project immediately."

"We are honored to be selected as the construction manager for this tremendous project in our home town," said John Wood, senior vice president at Mortenson. "This stadium will be built for Minnesota by Minnesotans."